Why do i always get picked on by customers?

Question

I'm a 20 year old female. I'm doing a degree and I work part time in a supermarket to make extra money. I'm a very happy and nice person. I get along well with most customers. But I find that I tend to have customers argue with me alot?

I seem to attract all the angry and stressed out customers.

The other people who work with me are either 16/17 or alot older in their 40's.

Why do customers choose me to take their anger out on??

Answer 1

I know exactely how you feel, im in the exact same situation as you....i jus work part time to get a bit of extra cash while im at uni. It seems like some of them look down on us.....a couple of weeks ago i had some lady who was sooooooo rude to me, to cut a long story short she implied that i was not educated and even made a racist comment.......but jus dont take it too personal, im assuming ur getting a degree to get somewhere good in life.....so jus think to urself  'im in uni, gonna reach my goals, gonna be somebody'

    some customers jus have issues and will jus take it out on u, some are jus d**n crazy.....wateva u do jus dont take it personal, life is too short to think about angry customers.

good luck

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I believe this is not uncommon for young people at work. My daughter who was seventeen at the time worked for a well known high street chemist. She would regularly come home telling me how some customers had been outrageously rude to her.

One woman with a pram shouted at her because a thief was being chased out of the store by security guards and thought it was terrible her child should have to witness it !

As if was my daughters fault !

I believe, that like you, my daughter was polite and perhaps lacked a bit of self confidence that customers found her an easy young target to vent their frustration.

Can i suggest if your supervisor is approachable to discuss the matter with him/her ?

Try and not take these customer comments to heart, I wonder if these ignorant people knew just how hurt their words made you feel, maybe they would think twice.

Hang in there, sounds like youre trying to make something of youre life, so dont let a few narrow minded people knock your confidence. Speaking as a mum with a daughter your age I wish you every success. Good luck !

Answer 3

Didnt you know customers have been given the right to treat members of staff in supermarkets as they like!!!  LOL!  Just kidding, I cant give you a direct answer to your question as to why you get picked on.  However, when I worked in a supermarket and got the angry customers I would put on this HUGe smile and be empathetic with them.  Smile and nod and be polite and their anger will soon where off because they havent got anybody to argue you with if you dont argue back!  And when they are out of ear shot mutter under your breath exactly what you think of them!!!

Answer 4

Probably because you are young. That is what it sounds like to me anyhow.

Answer 5

Do you tend to chat with some customers and so delay "the angry and stressed out customers?"

Answer 6

lol - I dont know - but dont let them tell you nothing - tell em to go ....tell em to stick it up their jumper

Answer 7

everyone gets their fair share of flack, no one is imune.

but if there is truth in what your saying, it could be any one of a number of different reasons, it maybe your appearance or your attitude?

Answer 8

They're insecure and see you as being young and somebody they can dominate to make themselves feel more powerful. Maybe most of the customers are angry and stressed out! Just accept whatever they're saying and dismiss them as being morons who are unable to process their emotions - their ego doesn't fit them. hehe If you're happy all the time maybe that irritates them because they're unhappy.

Best Wishes

Answer 9

I'm 25 and I have worked in retail for almost 10 years now.  I know that people treat us as though we are stupid because of where we work (I have a bachelor's degree and I am going back to school for my master's) and sometimes it feels as though you are being singled out by people.  However, other people might get just as many "complainers" as you do, but they might be able to blow it off better or they know how to diffuse the situation.

I've found that empathizing with people and going that extra step can often go a long way with an unhappy customer.  Also, make sure that you don't hold in your frustrations after dealing with someone who just plain wants to argue.  Find a co-worker or a friend to vent to (in the break room, your car, just not where the customer can hear you!).  Sometimes just venting and then laughing about the situation can help.  

Remember that you cannot please everyone and that some people are just mean...but also I try to put it in perspective and say to myself, "maybe this person had a bad day," or "maybe there is something going on in their life that is making them this way."  Think about it that way and maybe these angry customers will not bother you so much.  

Good luck and don't let this stuff stress you out!!  :)   One of my favorite bosses always used to tell me "it's not so serious, we are just selling toilet paper."  That always makes me laugh and realize that it is not the end of the world.

Answer 10

Maybe they find your attitude sort of reliable, so they think they can take their feelings out with you, or maybe they're just stressed and they find you efficient, so they pick you to be helped out fast and well.

Whatever it is, I'm sure it's something to be happy with somehow. If they're not patient, you could be :).